Great combination for audio recording and voiceover
Almost three years ago, I reported on the new headphones and microphone I bought for screen recording with OBS.
Introduction
At the time, I bought the t.bone SC425 and a microphone arm from Thoman. The t.bone SC425 has always served me well, but the microphone arm was more than okay for the money, but sometimes not as flexible as I would have liked.
This led me to want a Rode PSA1 or even a Rode PSA1+. And while we’re at it, a suitable USB microphone wouldn’t be a bad idea either. I considered the Rode NT-USB+, partly because, unlike its predecessor, it could record at 24-bit. But things turned out very differently.
It ended up being the PSA1+, but things still turned out a little differently.
The microphone arm
The PSA1+ is truly solid, and it can hold any microphone, both the t.bone SC425, which is already relatively heavy, and the comparatively light Rode Videomic Go2. The latter, in particular, can also be used digitally via USB-C thanks to the USB connection.
The only thing that’s a bit annoying is the very conspicuous Rode advertising. A slightly smaller font would certainly have been beneficial.
The arm supports the Podmic USB, which weighs just under 900g, as well as the much lighter Rode Videomic Go2, and holds its position for both.
The microphone
The original idea was the Rode NT-USB+, but that was already priced at around €160, so the difference to the Rode Podmic USB wasn’t that great.
In addition to the microphone, the package includes a 3m USB-C cable and an additional WS-14 pop filter, which is designed to reduce plosives in the recording.
With this mount, the microphone is optimally suspended from the PSA1+ and can still be easily rotated in other directions, so that the recording isn’t made directly from the front, which also helps prevent such plosives.
But the reason I ultimately switched to the Podmic USB was the option of having the XLR option on top, so to speak, for about €30 more, as you can see on the back.
It’s currently connected via USB-C, with the headphone output next to it and the XLR connector protected by the rubber cap underneath.
This at least leaves me the option of connecting the microphone to my PC or Mac via an audio interface if necessary.
Conclusion
In my opinion, it was the right purchase. The Rode PSA1+ is truly flexible and carries the Podmic, which weighs almost a kilogram, precisely, like a very lightweight Rode Videomix Go2. The Podmic USB keeps all options open for me; it’s just a bit quieter in terms of volume than the t.Bone SC425. But that’s nothing that can’t be controlled with Fairlight in DaVinci Resolve, for example.
Ciao tuxoche
